Cyclist warns of dangerous new bike trail in North Austin

The trail requires cyclists to cross frontage Research Boulevard twice.

Author: Jenni Lee

Published: 5:35 PM CST February 20, 2019

Updated: 6:42 PM CST February 20, 2019

AUSTIN, Texas — There's a bike trail in North Austin that's so new, drivers taking the frontage of North Research Boulevard may miss it.

It's flanked by two sets of huge, flashing, yellow traffic lights that don't work yet. Drivers encounter the first set when they go around the u-turn underneath Mopac and 183. A few feet away, the second set is for the second crosswalk.

The two sets of crosswalks connect the new concrete bike trail to an existing one.

It's something cyclist Jeff Loveless appreciates.

"Used to be a dirt path and it wasn't super useful, but now it's pretty nice," he said.

Gargas doesn't get why cyclists have to get off the bike trail and cross the frontage road not once, but twice before getting back on.

"This is actually the most dangerous thing that I've experienced biking in Austin so far," Gargas said.

He wanted to know: Why not use the path along the railroad tracks for one continuous bike path?

Because while he's an experienced rider, he's worried about those who aren't.

"I ride a lot, but what happens in the summer when people try to go [to] The Domain, people who don't ride bike all the time. You've got families with kids who are going to cross. Somebody stops right there and [makes arm gesture], and you know," Gargas said.

"Is it the most desirable? No. But what we've done out there that doesn't preclude future improvements," Dailey said.

Dailey said they had two options. Their first preference was to run the bike trail continuously along the railroad tracks, but they couldn't get the right of way from Union Pacific.

In a statement, Union Pacific Spokesperson Kristen South said: "It’s important for Union Pacific to maintain our right of way, allowing for potential future growth. Providing efficient freight service allows us to serve Austin and the greater Texas economy, while anticipating future needs to remain competitive."

Dailey said now that the project is complete, his agency is no longer in charge of the bike trail, but they are open to helping the City of Austin with safety improvements.